More pain for Wayne

WAYNE Rooney used to deal in goals and excitement – and he will do again. But last night, there was more frustration and failure for the Manchester United wonderboy. There was no goal for Rooney on his return to the England side after suspension as new boss Steve McClaren suffered the first setback of his reign since succeeding Sven Goran Eriksson.

Published 8th October 2006

It's two years since Rooney scored for England in a competitive match and he hasn't hit the target for United since the first day of the season.

Against Macedonia, he was substituted 15 minutes from time – Jermain Defoe replaced him – as England struggled.

And it wasn't until five minutes from time that they produced their best effort – when Steven Gerrard hit the bar with a thunderous shot.

But Macedonia survived to bring McClaren's three-game winning run to an end.

England kept their 4-4-2 formation after a week of claims that there would be a switch to 3-5-2.

The decision to stick with what had worked in McClaren's first three games in charge was sensible and understandable.

But after a bright opening, England found it hard to create clear openings against the massed red shirts of the Macedonia defence.

It was Macedonia, in fact, who produced the first noteworthy attempt on goal in the 11th minute.

Goran Pandev, based in Italy with Lazio, ended a menacing run on the left with a shot which hit the side-netting.

Manchester United's Michael Carrick, given the holding midfield role in the absence of broken-leg victim Owen Hargreaves, produced some of England's better passing as they strove for an early breakthrough.

When that didn't materialise, frustration started to set in for England after only half an hour.

That was illustrated when Steven Gerrard switched to the left and produced an exciting burst of speed to race clear of the Macedonia defence.

But when the Liverpool skipper delivered his cross, it cleared the penalty area and landed on the right flank – where he was supposed to be playing.

England had another escape in the 37th minute when Macedonia produced a fine attack started – and almost finished – by Robert Petrov.

The Macedonia defender struck a spectacular left-foot volley, but the ball swerved wide.

There was rare hope for England when Frank Lampard tried to get on the end of a cross from the left by Stewart Downing, but the Chelsea midfielder was crowded out on the edge of the box.

Macedonia ended the first half looking the better side – which was clearly a major shock to the Old Trafford crowd.

They became increasingly restless as England struggled to create a single chance in a disappointing first half.

It was no surprise, therefore, when England were booed off at half-time. There was relief for England at the beginning of the second half when Macedonia's dangerman Ilco Naumoski failed to reappear due to injury.

Just three minutes after the restart, England finally forced Macedonia's goalkeeper Jane Nikoloski into a save.

Petrov was booked for a foul on Rooney and from Downing's free-kick, England skipper John Terry had his header turned for a corner.

A minute later, Gerrard was booked for a foul on Pandev after winning the ball.

It was Gerrard's second booking of the competition and he now misses Wednesday's match in Croatia.

In the second half Gary Neville missed a chance from three yards out and Crouch could have headed England to victory near the end – but Croatia beckons and England must raise their game.